When you talk about music and art, you end up talking about life.
I'm Susan Lewis, an arts journalist and creative writer, with backgrounds in law, radio, audio and video producing, and raising 4 kids (not in that order!) I love doing audio and video interviews, writing stories, hosting performances, and talking with people of all ages about the mystery and magic of art, music, and life.
After spending the last nearly 20 years working in public media at WRTI, Philadelphia's classical music and jazz station, I'm exploring the world as a freelancer. I continue to learn, spreading the word about people in the arts and elsewhere, and sharing stories that build connections.
Blog
Every time I think I've figured out something, life surprises me. Navigating uncharted territory requiring new skills and an open mind - from having kids -- to taking a job in a new field -- to leaving a job to go out on my own -- to contemplating an entirely different 'next chapter' (whatever that is) - is both scary and exhilarating.
Thoughts on
Storytelling
Art and music can surely be enjoyed on their own, but exploring the human side of art has always intrigued me. What drives a composer to create music? Musicians and conductors to perform it? What touches them - and us - and what's music role in our lives? How is baseball like conducting? How does playing the trumpet help an artist create humorous cartoons? I believe everyone has a story with which we can connect, and those connections can enrich our appreciation of others and what they do. I've talked with people making, presenting, and performing engaging music and art. These interviews often took me to surprising places, and turned into conversations about art and life, revealing exhilarating ideas from the simple to the sublime.
Talking with Yannick Nézet Séguin, Artistic and Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Music director of The Metropolitan Opera, and a lover of animals! Click on photo for more on his thoughts on a Philadelphia Orchestra program of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony and Strauss songs, featuring soloist Pretty Yende, who has a remarkable story of her own.
Talking with David Cann while he takes a break from cleaning Alexander Calder's statue of William Penn at the very top of Philadelphia's City Hall. This interview took me INSIDE Billy Penn's head, which opens like a hatch. An unexpected and memorable experience!
I've also spent a lot of time with children.
Talking to kids? Those stories write themselves!